CORONATION Street’s famous faces have been left fuming about off-screen changes this summer.
The ITV cast, who film the fan-favourite soap in Manchester, are usually treated to a slap-up middle-of-
the-year bash with all expenses paid.
Now The Sun can exclusively reveal there’s trouble brewing due to soap cutbacks by show bosses.
Slashed budgets have previously left Coronation Street stars “fearing for their future” – and now all-expenses backstage perks have been culled too.
An insider told us how the likes of Helen Worth and Bill Roache will now be forced to pay for their own summer party and said: “There has been a lot of grumbling about the fact they have to pay for their own party this year.
“It’s one the biggest shows in the UK and the stars think a few free drinks is the least they should be getting.
“There have been loads of cut backs this year on the soap and bosses made the decision to scale back where they can, so the party was one of the first things to go.
“Everyone will still go but they are not happy about it.”
The bash is usually held at a swanky venue in the northern city.
A spokesperson for Coronation Street declined to comment.
We previously reported how Corrie has changed the way it films in order to stem the flow of cash outgoings.
The cast are believed to have had their scenes slashed as part of a cost-saving measure.
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According to reports in the Sunday Mirror, show bosses have decreased the number of extras used and have also increased “back-to-back” filming.
An insider told the publication: “The changes haven’t gone down well with the cast.
“Many of them are panicking about what these cuts mean for their futures.
“The Corrie cast is absolutely massive – it has well over 50 cast members in total – and some of them haven’t filmed for weeks, so they are starting to get really worried about the axe falling on them before long.
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let’s break down who’s left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite, portrayed by Peter Ash, was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Eileen Grimshaw is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour.
She’s had to leave the Street immediately after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
“There is currently a real feeling of disquiet behind the scenes and people are openly sharing their concerns.”
A source added: “The bosses are clearly trying to cut down on additional costs that are deemed surplus to requirements, which makes a lot of sense when you look at the pressures being felt all across the industry. But it has been quite unsettling for the cast and crew, and it feels like a very uncertain time.”
Cutting the amount of cast members in a scene is believed to have boosted the budget for things such as hair and lighting.
Meanwhile, in-house staff are also shouldering the bulk of the roles as opposed to freelancers.
